The year-over-year increase came despite continued struggles in the state's oil and gas industry, which were down 54.9 percent from March 2015.

"The modest growth in sales tax collections for March was in line with expectations and comes after five consecutive months of declining sales tax revenues," Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said in a written statement. "Stronger growth in receipts from the retail trade, restaurant and construction sectors was offset by continued weakness in net collections from oil and gas-related sectors."

For the first quarter, the state's sales tax revenue is down 3.2 percent compared to the same period a year ago.

The sales tax figures mostly reflect sales made in February. The tax was collected in March and is distributed in April to Texas cities, counties and other taxing districts.